Concerns Mount Over EV Charging Infrastructure’s Ability to Handle Easter Holiday Demand
Industry experts are concerned about the lack of electric vehicle charging stations keeping up with the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road in Australia. This could lead to delays and heightened range anxiety for travelers, especially during holiday periods.
The rise in EV sales in Australia is attributed to global trends favoring sustainable transportation due to environmental concerns, government incentives, and advancements in EV technology. In 2023, 46,624 new EVs were sold, marking a 269 percent increase from 2022 and accounting for 8.4 percent of all new car sales.
Despite the popularity of EVs, challenges persist, including the availability of charging infrastructure, the high upfront cost of EVs, and limited range of some models.
With increased road traffic expected during Easter, energy providers anticipate long queues at charging stations across the country. This is compounded by the fact that petrol stations outnumber charging stations by a ratio of four to one.
The Public Fast Charger Network report from last year highlighted the construction of 397 car-charging sites and 755 new charging points in 2023, primarily located on the eastern seaboard between Queensland and Victoria. However, large areas in remote outback regions still lack charging facilities.
Joel Power, joint managing director of Smart Energy, expressed concern that the industry is not keeping up with the demand for charging stations. He emphasized the need for private electricity networks to accelerate the construction of new charging stations to meet the increasing number of electric cars on the roads.
In a scenario where networks are waiting for a further increase in EV ownership before building new charging stations, industry insiders suggest that more investment is needed now. State governments are urged to proactively invest in charging infrastructure to support residents without off-street parking access.
Tesla, the leading EV brand in Australia, accounts for approximately three-quarters of all new car sales. The states of NSW and Victoria lead in sales numbers, with each state responsible for 30 percent of the market.
Evie Networks and BP Pulse, major players in the charging provider market, are preparing for a surge in demand over Easter, with 10,000 drivers expected to use their chargers. Evie Networks has doubled its locations to over 200 sites to meet the anticipated demand, particularly from areas within two hours of major capital cities.
